Pictures

 

It was a challenge to get an unobstructed view of the couple and the wedding events. The professional photographers pictures may be sent later, but these are some attempts from my view. 

Before their departure, she changed to her hand-sewn

                  going-away dress and retained the veil. 

All is Well

 

Greetings and congratulations for another day of home life. All is well here and I hope all is well with you.

I spent the day cleaning up outside and making things look as curb- attractive as possible for my family and friends. It is time to get the paint out and freshen up garden fences and outdoor things before rain comes. 

The Manse this evening.

In light of world events and cultural pressures swirling around us, here is a little scripture that I feel is integral to keep the homemaker focused on every good thing: 

Ephesians 4:31-32 (ESV)

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." 

It is easy to be distracted by the uncertainty of the world around us. Replace those worries with kindness and forgiveness and tenderness. I will try to talk more about it on video.

Also to the homemaker: It's never too late to create an atmosphere at home conducive to happiness, especially in a country like ours.

When you are doing well, there will be criticism and attack. My husband read a scripture that helped deal with the unjust and undeserved hatred of the Titus 2:5 reference to women as keepers at home .

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you." 1st Peter 4:12

Those who pressure homemakers to get a life outside the home, can leave you puzzled, but that's what the enemy does: keep you in a state of uncertainty and fear. 

Instead of taking up thinking space in hours of emotional turmoil, rehearsing what someone said to take away your love of homemaking, use it as a trigger to do something nice for yourself, the house and someone else. Do not stay in that immobile state, unable to progress from the sorting of good books to the careful keeping of family memories in a journal or a box of precious papers.

I like that phrase "be not surprised...as though something strange were happening to you."

It is saying "don't be so surprised when those who are minding their own business at home will sometimes be attacked for it."  It triggers negative, jealous people. 

Previous generations taught their children about this: Whatever you try to do that is justified by God, even the simplest things like having a home and being a homemaker, -- "whatever you try to do, someone will try to stop you."   

When we were younger, (back in the olden days 😊) we  rather expected resistance when we practiced goodness.

 Homemaking, and homeschooling , being feminine, teaching others what is good, pursuing interests, improving yourself, etc. would always attract envy and resentment. Those good things just seem to trigger negative people. 

Read the book of Nehemiah and see how the culture tried to prevent the progress on building something good. Some people would sneer at the builders and make snide, disrespectful remarks. Read what Nehemiah did to encourage the workers. 

This would all be easier to understand in a video talk but my vocal chords have felt thin the last couple months. I hope to talk to you pretty soon and fill you in on what has transpired since I last broadcast. 

Lydia Ruth 

Things I saw in a shop recently;

Pictures

 

Hopefully you'll be hearing from me via video soon. 

We have been to World Market and were able to purchase these three cups. 

Almost Back

 

Hello you dear, patient people!! In two days we will attend the first wedding of our next generation-- our "down line" as we fondly call them .

 It is all God's gracious doing, of course, and not our own, but want to share with my faithful 20+ year readers and listeners a few things about us, in my little weekly handwritten newsletter, below. 

I write this by hand, hurriedly, and so it's not my best, each week for the ladies class, and thought maybe you'll like me to start sharing it with here. I do have paper copies  available but am sure no one needs more paper. 

This newsletter is a simple fold over bulletin and similar to my homeschooling, when I occasionally would write a paper  for my children to pique their interest in life. 

Above is a letter from Miss Lillian, whose wedding we will attend. As I noted, try not to cry. 

I have been doing the capital letter Spencerian style alphabet for the ladies to take home with them and will eventually put previous bulletins here for you to see.

Because we have had such busy days around here with so many family in and out and around us, it was impossible to get away to a quiet enough place to talk on video. When I do a video I'll tell you all about what had transpired here in the last 3 months. 

My daughter and granddaughter working on the going-away dress. 

Miss Lillian and her Mother Lily Beth having a fitting 

Almost finished

I'm stitching my dress today. 

I'll try to take more pictures of the mess around here before getting 

the house back in order, just to show you the myriad of activities. 

Daughter  Lily Beth and granddaughter Lillian at a church bridal shower. 

If you've been praying for me, thank you. 

I keep using this picture but of course I am much older now.

 Remember that quote from Wives and Daughters? "Come now, Mr. Gibson. If you were much older, then so was I."

If I can get my dress finished today I'll post a video for you. 

                                            Lydia Ruth 

The future Mr. & Mrs. T-Roy Hass at dinner a few days ago. 

Talk Soon

Hello Ladies,

I feel as though I am a character in a book called A Long Way Home because I can't seem to find my way back to the video broadcasts which I create to encourage homemakers. Busy days make it a challenge to get to a broadcast. My voice is wearing thin from all the unnecessary talking I do at home, so I am trying to be quiet, and reserve some voice for you. 

As you see, above, my castles are back!! 

Miss Lillian is in The Manse  talking to

her future husband. 

She is here sewing her wedding dress. Her home in eastern Oregon has been evacuated due to smoke. 

Please  do not copy photos on this page nor send.

Painting:

The Wedding Dress by George Goodwin Kilburn 1839-1924

Sewing the Wedding Dress

( author unknown)

The White Stitch

• Soft white cloth upon the floor,

•

• Silver needle through the door

•

• Of time and hope, a-threading slow,

•

• Where quiet, happy feelings go.

•

The Dress Takes Shape

• Inch by inch the bodice grows,

•

• Sweet as petals on a rose.

•

• Long white lace and smooth-spun silk,

•

• Pale and bright as morning milk.

•

Ready for the Day

• Pins are pulled and thread is tied,

•

• Waiting for the happy bride.

•

• Every seam a wish made true,

•

• Old and bright, and white and blue.

Hopefully I'll talk at you soon!!!

Lydia Ruth

Hay Season

 

Hello Everyone,

It is hay season here. We stop and watch the huge farm machines with their air conditioned cabs and up to date fascinating amenities. 

If I can manage my time properly I'll make a hay season dress. 

Miss Lillian, our little granddaughter, is busy trying hair styles, and is busy sewing for her wedding. She is going to marry a young preacher in Missouri. I will tell more about it in a video. 

We are all doing the best we can and keeping cool with plenty of ice and taking dips in the stock tank . 

All is well here and I

hope all is well with you.

We are having a Ladies Day at our little congregation and my daughter Lily Beth and her daughter Lillian are conducting the event with singing, reading, reciting  poetry, a Bible Brides quiz and a delicious Afternoon Tea luncheon. I will include pictures of table arrangements and party favors soon. It will also be a gift card wedding shower for our bride-to-be. 

I still plan to converse with you on video when the rush is over. 

Lydia Ruth

Excessively Diverted

 

Hello Ladies,

My granddaughter, Miss Lillian (the young lady who wrote the book I posted about a short while ago) is getting married at the end of August, and so we are busy preparing. 

You might enjoy seeing the colors she is using in her wedding 

After Miss Lillian wrote her novel, The Lawman's Daughter, she was introduced to her future husband by his sister, an acquaintance of Miss Lillian, who also read her book, or so I am told. From there, things went quite rapidly to a proposal and both families are overjoyed. The future groom's parents, grandparents and siblings say Miss Lillian is the one they prayed for all these years and the family of the bride --siblings,  parents and grandparents, say the same. There's not a discordant note amongst us regarding this wonderful situation, but since she must live far away from Oregon in Missouri, guess who will cry the most! 

She is designing and sewing her wedding dress. Here is the under slip on the line . 

Here it is being styled and draped on the dress form. it looks like something fabulous from an artist, which she is. I have not seen the bridesmaids dresses yet but i'm sure they follow the same dress code on the invitation. 

Here is part of the details of the couple's invitation to the wedding:

Happiness Today

 

I'm still well and happy and trying to get back to broadcasts.

Thank you for being so patient!

Lydia Ruth